Buyer Beware - Ironman Bar

[Firefly]

Big Hello to all out there -just joined this forum - and have just purchased a new D22 ST-R. Under the bed !!! sits a front Lokka - a Davies Craig thermo fan for the Intercooler - 4 EFS shocks - pair of Narva Spots - so far. Hate to get on here ( for the 1st time ) and bitch ......but......just purchased an ( Ironman Protector ) Bullbar and had it fitted by a guy out here in Western Syd. Well man ...it really looked the part..with fog lights - chrome hoops - hammertone finish...$1500 worth.........of *&^$%#$@# rubbish. It now sits in my garage waiting its destiny. When fitted the fitter lined it up perfectly and by the time we got to Bathurst on our 1st drive ( ute is 2 wks old ) the left hand wing had moved up and was siiting on the flare - had been rubbing on the flare for some distance. I ended up pulling ( read flexing ) the LHS wing down by hand so the misses could slide some foam stuff in the gap which stopped the annoying noise we had been hearing for some time. The bar has surface rust in numerous places - from the showers last week. The chrome hoops are bolted on to the main barwork.....my partner can move them back and forth.....and as for the drama in the initial fit....the fitter had to angle grind the attaching frame over and over to get it to fit onto the Navara's chassis rails. If anyones interested...I can post Ironmans response to my phone call re this bar. Just let my say ......brands like ARB / TJM and maybe a few others are where they are in the market place for a reason and its a GOOD reason........Im the dickhead that thought .....good looking bar .....goood price .....good bargain......will try this product.
Thank you for reading this article and I hope others out there dont make the same COSTLY mistake I made. All the best to you all.

 

[Jason]

Hi mate, welcome to the forums.

Sorry to hear about your experience with the Ironman bar, there has not been much talk about them on here until now. I have moved your thread to the 'Product Reviews' section as it is a more appropriate place than the 'New Members' area.

Hope you have more luck soon, keep us posted on your truck and maybe chuck up some pics?

Oh and I put 'Ironman Bar' in the description so people can find it better.

 

[Old.Tony]

Welcome to the forums!

There has to be some sort of warranty on the item. In Australia, you can't sell someone a product for a particular purpose where that item is not suitable for the stated purpose.

A bullbar performing the function of (oversized) paperweight fits that bill!

I'd go back to the guy and state clearly that you're absolutely displeased and want a refund. The sooner the better, too.

He's obliged to rectify any defect in workmanship/manufacture. If you damage it yourself, that's your beeswax, but if the thing is shonky because of the manufacturer/supplier, you have the right to complain about it and get it fixed.

What's more, if the faulty item has caused damage to other components, they can be asked (and under law, forced) to make those components good too.

Good luck!

 

[Jason]

Was the guy that fitted it an authorised Ironman dealer/fitter?

 

[KraftyPg]

When researching canopies I too went to Ironman (Melb) because I kind of liked the way their canopy looked over the usual ARB and Flexiglass ones but when I was talking to them it didn't take long for me to decide these guys just weren't getting my business.

Aside from the fact that just about everything you see on an Ironman Canopy is an added extra (although that does vary depending on who you talk too in the place) the guys I spoke too seemed to have no idea about the product they were selling. I had a look at one of their canopies on a Tojo Crusier and it just didn't seem to fit right and would always look like an add on that was fitted by the expert staff at your local wreckers.

Whether my final choice was right or wrong is obviously a personal preference but I'm really glad I chose the canopy I did over Ironman. Can't see this mob getting too much business of me in the future after my experiences trying to buy the canopy.

 

[Firefly]

Hi there All, Thank you for your replies / comments. In answer to your Qs - Yes the fitter was an Ironman fitter ( among with other brands / logos on his invoice ) - He was recommended to me by Ironman Melb. Secondly - I have been in contact with both the fitter and then the NSW State Rep for Ironman. He stated that unless there was a technical / manufact fault with the product - no refund. ( Wonder what you call having to grind the $#%^out of the mounts to fit the Navara chassis ) .......oh but it did fit in the end !! He also went on to state that the Thai version of the new Nav has a more flexible- read not as strong - chassis as the Jap built ones - that explains the HUGE amount of flex in the bar whilst driving along..........dumb me ...should have realised........then told the chrome top hoops are bolted on cause cant weld chrome tube ......he admitted that the Ironman commercial black steel bar is much stronger and that the Protector series is more for LOOKS.......pity the add in a 4WD mag didnt say that hey..........he basically told me - you bought it - you are stuck with it. Thanx to all that read my last ( and 1st !!!! ) post - and fo your constructive comments.

 

[Leprechaun]

My mate has an Ironman bar on his Hilux it sits about 10mm off centre, Ironman is extra cheap because it all comes from China and they have minimal quality control, ARB also makes alot of there bars in China but they have a QC- QA system. I believe TJM is locally made. but the warehouse has burnt down.

My kingcab(Thai) chassis flexes like you wouldn't believe, but my TJM steel bar hasn't moved "yet"

 

[Snowy_07]

Hey Firefly,

Sorry to hear about the bullbar. Any chance you could give me afew details on the thermo fan you mentioned in the your first post. Will it be a bolt on mod or alittle more detailed ?

Thanks,
James.

 

[SOLID D22]

My mate has an Ironman bar on his Hilux it sits about 10mm off centre, Ironman is extra cheap because it all comes from China and they have minimal quality control, ARB also makes alot of there bars in China but they have a QC- QA system. I believe TJM is locally made. but the warehouse has burnt down.


You 100% sure arb make a lot of there bars in china, i work with a guy whos brother works at the kilysth arb head office/factory and they are flat out with round the clock shifts welding barwork.

 

[SOLID D22]

And welcome to the forum Firefly, i wouldnt be too worried about the scratches on the bullbar or the car, by the looks of it with the other extras your guna put on i reckon ul be bush bashing it a bit anyway!

 

[Leprechaun]

My mate has an Ironman bar on his Hilux it sits about 10mm off centre, Ironman is extra cheap because it all comes from China and they have minimal quality control, ARB also makes alot of there bars in China but they have a QC- QA system. I believe TJM is locally made. but the warehouse has burnt down.


You 100% sure arb make a lot of there bars in china, i work with a guy whos brother works at the kilysth arb head office/factory and they are flat out with round the clock shifts welding barwork.

I was told by a guy who went to China to import bullbars to Australia. He said he toured the ARB Shed and other manufacturers he noted ARB was the only one that was actually using proper jigs etc, He said some bars were welded lying on the ground and had aerobar welds!.
I thought they mainly do the R&D in Kilsyth. Perhaps you could clarify this with your mates brother.
You can buy a ARB diff locker shipped to Australia from the States cheaper than you can buy one in Melbourne, So I'm guessing they are manufactured outside of Australia too.

 

[Yakka]

If it were me, I'd be contacting the department of consumer affairs. It is completely unacceptable that a product of that value, allbeit cheaper than that of competitors, is of such a poor standard. I have dealt with consumer affairs in the past, over a leather lounge that I ordered and when it was delivered came in a colour that was not even close to that ordered and had a similar response from the supplier as you've had Firefly. When I contacted consumer affairs they responded well to the issues I was having and were a great help. In the end I only had to threaten taking the supplier to C.A. (I also threatened contacting the media) and they almost bent over backward to rectify the issue as it goes against them to have had these dealings. My advise, contact the supplier imediately and tell them that if they do not refund the purchase the matter will initially be taken to C.A and then if necessary the media. May be worth going over the head of the dealer and heading straight to Ironman head office. I would also suggest putting the issue in writing and faxing to the details listed below.

GOOD LUCK!

IRONMAN 4X4 PTY. LTD.
Unit A10, Hallmarc Business Park
Corner Westall and Centre Roads
Clayton, Victoria
Australia, 3168
Ph: +61 (0)3 9532 1111
Fax: +61 (0)3 9532 2011

 

[Jason]

Yeah great advice Yakka, give them the best chance to rectify it (via their head office) then take action.

 

[joshy]

Hi there All, Thank you for your replies / comments. In answer to your Qs - Yes the fitter was an Ironman fitter ( among with other brands / logos on his invoice ) - He was recommended to me by Ironman Melb. Secondly - I have been in contact with both the fitter and then the NSW State Rep for Ironman. He stated that unless there was a technical / manufact fault with the product - no refund. ( Wonder what you call having to grind the $#%^out of the mounts to fit the Navara chassis ) .......oh but it did fit in the end !! He also went on to state that the Thai version of the new Nav has a more flexible- read not as strong - chassis as the Jap built ones - that explains the HUGE amount of flex in the bar whilst driving along..........dumb me ...should have realised........then told the chrome top hoops are bolted on cause cant weld chrome tube ......he admitted that the Ironman commercial black steel bar is much stronger and that the Protector series is more for LOOKS.......pity the add in a 4WD mag didnt say that hey..........he basically told me - you bought it - you are stuck with it. Thanx to all that read my last ( and 1st !!!! ) post - and fo your constructive comments.

Only seen the vibrating and moving of the bar on standard nissan bullbars, but if they mount the same, its the mounts not the chassis that causes the problem.

 

[joshy]

I was told by a guy who went to China to import bullbars to Australia. He said he toured the ARB Shed and other manufacturers he noted ARB was the only one that was actually using proper jigs etc, He said some bars were welded lying on the ground and had aerobar welds!.
I thought they mainly do the R&D in Kilsyth. Perhaps you could clarify this with your mates brother.
You can buy a ARB diff locker shipped to Australia from the States cheaper than you can buy one in Melbourne, So I'm guessing they are manufactured outside of Australia too.

AFAIK, all air lockers sold in aus are made in aus. Not sure where the outside aus ones are made.

 

[SOLID D22]

The guy i work with is on holidays at the moment so i will ask him about the barwork when he gets back. I got quoted by the same guy for a rear arb locker $750 is the price he could get it for me.
Does that sound about normal or is it cheaper?

 

[ants_oz]

All ARB air lockers are manufactured in Melbourne. Full stop.

Some ARB bar work is being manufactured in Thailand, NOT China. The Thai factory is used for schedule work - basically, bulk batches. Melbourne are still making a fair bit of bar work however to keep up with demand. For example - in recent months I have fitted ARB bullbar, side steps and rear bar (at different times). Each of my items is Australian made and badged as such.

I would not hesitate to contact the Aus distributor of the ironman product to seek their thoughts on your situation. Phone call first, followed up in writing. If they are not interested in remedying the situation, then contact the two big 4wd magazines - send them a "letter to the editor" and ask them to follow-up on your behalf. You may be surprised how willing Ironman are to help if they are contacted by specialist 4wd media - with the obvious implication that the quality of their product will be questioned by a large number of people in their intended market place...

 

[KangaRooted]

Well, this product review has certainly helped me out! I was all set to go the ironman bullbar/winch/lights combo from one of my 4 x 4 mags, but I think I'll go ARB. Does anyone know if you can just buy a bullbar from ARB and fit it yourself? They wanted close to 1900 fitted & color coded (not sure what they want without the fitting cost), but thats a bit much for me and I think I could fit one with the help of a mate.

 

[SOLID D22]

You can fit it yourself, i fitted the rear arb bar myself.
In the previous quote i said $750 for a locker, i was a little off with price by $40 i think.

 

[ants_oz]

I fitted all my ARB barwork myself. Front bar, rear bar, protection steps...

The front bar takes a while with a D40, and it is a fiddly job. Not difficult in my opinion by any means, just fiddly. Before commencing, I recommend opening the box to get the instructions out, and make sure you have all the tools and supplies ready to go. For example - you need certain widths of masking tape for masking/measuring the bumper in order to cut through it with a jigsaw.

Working by myself, it took me about 4 hours to fit mine.